Southwest’s Juanmarco Diaz is the Miami-Dade Boys’ Volleyball Player of the Year
Southwest boys’ volleyball standout Juanmarco Diaz is always pushing forward.
On a squad that leaned more on the experience of its upperclassmen, Diaz was once again the focal point for an Eagles’ squad that overcame some early season struggles to come within a point of winning another state title.
Diaz, a junior, once again proved to be one of the most versatile players in the state as he led Southwest to a 24-8 record and back to the state championship match after beating several of Miami-Dade County’s top teams in the postseason along the way.
For those efforts, Diaz is the Miami Herald’s Dade Boys’ Volleyball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Diaz, a 5-11 junior outside hitter/setter, totaled 418 assists, 271 kills, 227 digs and 46 aces. His ability to conduct the Eagles’ attack became paramount as Southwest’s roster included only three players, including Diaz, who had ever competed in a playoff match before this season.
A year after ending a 15-year state title drought for the school, the Eagles came up painfully short against unbeaten and heavily favored Winter Park in the state final after rallying from a 2-0 deficit to send the match to a fifth and decisive set and after having their opponents on two match points at 14-12.
A month earlier it didn’t seem likely to some that Southwest would have even been that close to successfully defending its state title.
The Eagles were dethroned as GMAC champions by a much-improved Miami High squad and had lost to multiple state contenders such as Mater Lakes, Archbishop McCarthy and Cardinal Gibbons during the regular season.
But Southwest regrouped and won nine consecutive matches (losing only one set during that span), which included 3-0 sweeps against Miami High, Mater Lakes and Belen Jesuit in the postseason.
“The mindset was simple, come in here tonight to this crowded gym and let everybody see what we do,” Diaz said after the regional final win over Belen.
Diaz, who recovered from a fractured fibula and tibia he suffered as a freshman two years ago, will next look to finish his high school career strong next year and perhaps add a fourth state title banner to the Southwest gym’s rafters.
